NASCAR ratings have been consistent all year: down double-digits to historic lows.
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs from Texas earned a 1.4 rating and 2.27 million viewers on NBCSN last Sunday, down 13% in ratings and 16% in viewership from last year (1.6, 2.70M). The 2016 race was postponed due to rain, with rainout coverage earning a 1.1 and 1.86 million.
Excluding rainouts, Kevin Harvick‘s win was the lowest rated and least-watched edition of the race (dates back to 2005).
Ratings and viewership were twice as high just four years ago, when the race had a 2.8 and 4.75 million on ESPN. A decade ago, it had a 3.7 and 5.89 million, albeit on ABC.
Texas was the final NASCAR race on cable this season. None of the 18 races on NBCSN or FS1 managed even a 1.8 rating, and only one increased over last year. Half of the 18 races had less than a 1.5 rating. By comparison, only four Cup Series races in the previous 17 seasons fell below that mark.
Overall, of the 30 total races this season that have been run as scheduled, 26 have posted declines in ratings and/or viewership — and 25 have hit an all-time or decade-plus low.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 11.6]
